Ponting is a cheat
Ricky Ponting - a classy batsman & an able captain who has led Australia to great heights dropped below the basic dignity levels of sportsmanship.
The umpiring in the Sydney test was bad enough ( and for some extra-terrestrial reason, was bad only for India ), and the aussies added to it by claiming "catches" that were not.
Rahul Dravid - bat was well tucked in behind the pad & the great "fair" "walker" Gilchrist, along with other Aussies went up for a caught-behind. And Mr. Bucknor agreed!!
Saurav Ganguly - edges a ball to slips. Clarke takes the "catch", video replays are at best non-conclusive about the catch itself & Clarke actually grounds the ball when he tumbles to a side in the process of completing the catch. Had umpire Benson gone up to a "fair" 3rd umpire, Ganguly should have been ruled not out, because of lack on conclusive evidence, but he decided to go to Ponting, who claimed the catch was clean.
M S Dhoni - if the previous act raised doubts about Ponting's credentials as a fair sportsman, this incident nailed him as a CHEAT. And you can see for yourself in this video : Ponting the cheat - that he clearly grounds the ball while landing after taking a catch & then vociferously appeals for the catch.
I could have forgiven him for doing it on the spur of the moment, but when he is asked about the same in the post match conference - he claims he did not ground it.
To me thats a clear blatant lie. I was already hurting bad, because of the terrible umpiring, but opponents like Ponting - make cricket unpalatable.
Now I hope for 2 possible outcomes, in that order :
1. India beat Aus in Perth ( would be diff given the pitch) and in the process appeal for everything obvious: deep catches, half-way run outs, clean bowled as well.
2. India refuse to continue playing with this aussie side & come back.
The 2nd will have longer lasting impact, but is against the spirit of the game as we know it.
Kumble & team India - I feel more proud of you today than when you won the 20-20 cup.
I wish I could do more than just voice my opinion on my blog to bring a lot more disgrace to the cheater Ponting.